Card fraud hit 41% of Americans in past 5 years

A credit card is swiped at a parking meter in Washington. (AFP/Getty Images)

If you’ve been a victim of card fraud, chances are you think twice about reaching for your wallet. And it turns out American consumers are some of the most likely to be victimized by card fraud, according to a global survey out Tuesday from payments company ACI Worldwide.

More than a quarter of card holders across the world were victims of card fraud in the past five years, but the survey finds that percentage jumps to 41% in the U.S. Our situation isn’t as dire as it is in China or the UAE, however, where 42% and 44%, respectively, of card holders were victims of fraud.

We might not be helping ourselves when it comes to preventing fraud. Nearly 50% of those surveyed exhibit at least one behavior that puts them at a higher risk for fraud, the survey finds. That includes leaving a smartphone unlocked and putting sensitive mail in the trash.

Those who have been victimized say they’re more cautious afterward, though. More than 60% use their card less and 23% ended up switching financial institutions.

ACI and Aite Group surveyed more than 6,000 people in 20 countries and included victims of credit, debit and prepaid card fraud.